Football lineman&#39;s apparatus



. v 1 645 707 Oct. 18 I J J- LIPP I a FOOTBALL LI'NEMANTS APPARATUS.

Filed Nov. 2, 1925 7 :5 Jam Ill 1);

Patented Oct. 18, 1927. as

UNITED ,STATES' JULIUS 3'. LIPP, 0F CHTGAGO, ILL II NOIS.

FOOTBALL LINEMAN S APPARATUS.

' Application filed November 2, 1925. Serial No. 66,290.

My invention relates to improvements to football linemens apparatus, or the lilze.

The principal object of my invention is to provide apparatus-having means for mcreasing the visibility'of the measuring units thereof, whereby the referee or umpire, or other oflicial can discern the distance gained, lost, or to be gained after each play more readily than is possible with the type of ap-- paratus at present 1n common use.

Another more specific object is to provide said means in the form 'of markers, or targets of such size and color that the units of measurement of the apparatus are clearly distinguishable from a considerable distance. a

A further object resides in so supporting the said markers or targets that in case they are made ofthin material, one of the larger surfaces of each will always be in position to be seen from the field.

An additional object is to provide an improved down indicator.

Other objects relate to features of construction and arrangement of parts which will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accom-.

panying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of the linemens chains.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged'view of a portlon thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of one of the targets or markers, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the down recorder.

In foot-ball linemens apparatus, as at present commonly used, there is provided a pair of stakes joined by a pair 'of c ha1ns ten yards in length. This apparatus 1s handled by two men called l1nemen, and is used to indicate the ground to be gained by the team carrying the ball. A down 1n d1- cator also is usually employedin connection with the above mentioned apparatus, and consists of a rod or stake about three feet in length having a box-like enlargement adjacent the upper part thereof, said enlargement having its four vertical sides numbered -1 to 4:, inclusive.

The operator turns the indicator a quarter rotation after each down to indicate to the field officials the number of the down, and he also moves the indicator along the apparatus is employed.

previously described apparatus, in accordance with the distance gained or lost, whereby the referee can estimate the distance .yet to be gained by the teamfcarrying the ball.

PATENT." oFrIc-E;

It .will be understood that the referee i promptly announces the yardage to be gained after each play and that errors will very frequently be made for the reason that only an approximation of the gain orloss can be made with the present day type of apparatus, as distinguished from the quite definite reading of the distances Wherev my In the drawings, 10, 10, represent stakes, each having a pair of snaps'll, or other 12 and 12, respectively, are attached-thereto. The chains serve to space the stakes 10, 10,, a distance of ten yards apart, although it will be obvious that if the inven-' tion is used in other relations, the length of the chains may be varied, as desired. 1

In the apparatusshown, which is-intended means, whereby the upper and lower chains for football use as at present played, nine markers or targets .13 are'shown spaced :1.

yard apart, thus dividing-thechain into ten units. The targets 13 may be made of wood or metal and are preferably painted white or other distinctive color, whereby thecan readily be seen from a distance. Each marker is suspended from the upper chain by a fastening member 14 having a lower" ring port-ion 15 passing through an opening 16 in the target13, and an upper ring portion 17, which encircles-the portlon of the chain 13 which unites two successive loops or links thereof.

It will be seen that although this construction is. not rigid in that it permits the thereto, the markers can notturn upon a vertical axis, and thus no marker can assume a position in which an edge only is exposed to View from the field. The targets are thus maintained in such position that the fiat surfaces thereof will always be visible from the field when the apparatus is in position along a side line. 3

If the targets are made of wood or other marker to move somewhat in the plane of .the chains 12 and 12, and at right angles fibrous material, the holes 16 are preferably reinforced by eyelets. 18, as illustrated in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the middle target is made readily distinguishable from the remaining targets, as by paintingthe same in two: colors; thus? facilitating thecalculation: ofithe distanceitb belmadelby the-team carrying the ball. a

In Fig. 4 is shown af dovvn? indicator comprlslng a rod or stake 1'9 havinga handie 20 beneath which is provided anbox 21 having its vertical faces numbered 1 to 4f The upper surfacezof the box is inclusive. pyramidal in form, and each of its triangulan facess is numbered to correspond tofthe adjacent loweri box face, as shown; The

tdown indicatonis turned to: expose to the oilficialse'in: the field: the number cor-responding'ito: the lastidown' asrwill be understood.

By providing the numbers on the pyramidal. iportiona of the box- 21; it. can conveniently and readily lie seen: by; the: man who 1 attends to the indicator, which member is exposed to *view from thefield;

It will besunderstoodthat the down indiis neatonisgmov'eds alongfithe chainslQ and 12 to a position opposite the: ball after-each downiaifterthe first, and that by'the position :ofi the indicator with? reference to the target-s 1113 i the distance: to be gained and; the number Offthefi down can be. seenat glance;-

F'o'r the purpose of rendering the appa- -ratusz distinctive, I prefenrto paint the stakes l -1i0irr two colors; which alternate in bands, as suggested by the dividing lines 22; The

bottom; of the-stakes 10 and 19 are preferablyprovided with pointed metal ends 23',

asshown; Y

. 1; Although I? have shown certain features of my improvements: for the purpose of illnstirationgiiti willz be seen. that changes may be matlelthereinl without departing from the "spirit. of the i'nventiomand I do not Wish tmlbe restricted were form shown and demy name.

tical plane when in operative positionym arkerssfon'indicatingjtheidivision of one of said chains into measurlngunits, and means for attaching said markers to; said. 'ohaini to maintaim said markers; in theyertmahplafle 1 ofsaidicha insiand stakes:. in a 1 2'.=Appanatus of the-class described comscribed except where limitations/thereto ap- V prising .a, pair on end stakes, a ten yard measuring member extendingtherebetweem r and? a plurality of colored markers attached I to'isai'd-i member for indicating the divisions of: the? same intovone L ya-rdi units, the centerone of said markers being difilerently colored for distinguishing the" same f rom the: otherof'isaid markers for, facilitating the-calculal tion ofidistance: to one of said stakes; from a pointbetweenithe same; a I

3'. Football linemens apparatus, c'ompr'ising' a pair of end stakes, a memberconnectmg" said stakes near their bottom ends and adapted. :to' space the Same a} predetermined distance. apart, a: second memben connecting said stakes near their upper ends, and adapt-+ ed to: spacezthe uppen ends offsaid'st'akes substantially the same distanceapart and inarkers; attached" to -said: second; 'mentioned inemben' at: spaced? intervalsfor facilitating,

between the samea In testimony whereof," have: subscribed memes; m1;

from: the footballfield; the calculation of distanceto either of said stakes fnomi-azpoint 

